Get Control of the Calendar

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Start 2010 with a new organizational habit

Are you ready to flip the calendar? Ready or not, 2010 is upon us. While I am not a proponent of ringing in the New Year with resolutions, I do suggest trying your hand at a new strategy for the coming months.

We are at the midpoint in our school year at my house. The weather is uninviting and it is far too easy for me to bury my head under the covers (at least mentally) until spring. I find that a little organization keeps the days and weeks from peeling away into moments I can’t recall.

For her best New Year’s tip, I called on Lil Nolan O’Keeffe, a certified professional organizer with ABC (Anything But Chaos) Professionals. Lil specializes in working with those who are chronically disorganized and those who have Attention Deficit Disorder. She organizes businesses and homes, including homeschooling families, and is also a mother of three.

For all families, Lil says a control center for activities is a basic starting point. She recommends buying a large desk calendar, available for $1 – $2.

“I cut off each page and put it on the refrigerator with magnets,” she says. “It really is good. Everything is done in pencil and everyone can see the calendar. I color-code with highlighters. At a glance, I see Friday has three blue stripes and I know we have three going to basketball.”

A different color could be used for sports, co-op, music lessons, church activities, etc.

It sounds daunting at first, but Lil’s system keeps everyone aware of activities outside the home and makes children responsible for their own schedules.

“They check the calendar every day,” she says. “If it’s on the calendar and they’ve missed it, that puts the responsibility on their plate. They know where to go to find that information. It’s a life lesson. I work with people that have never had that teaching from home and these people are lost.”

Also on her refrigerator/control center are Lil’s menu plan and shopping list for the week. She sets aside time a few days before the end of each month to organize the next month’s calendar. That time is an investment that results in less stress and a calmer environment at home.

“If you value your time and less stress in your life, put a bit of effort in it and you reap the rewards,” she says. “It’s a life change. A habit takes 21 days to form and 21 days to break. Getting organized doesn’t take a lot of money. It takes time to get it set up and then just maintenance. People think everything has to be perfect. That is a myth. Organization is functional.”

And that’s a New Year’s habit that can last for a lifetime.

January is “Go” month for the National Association of Professional Organizers. The organization will feature tips and information online at www.napo.net.

Chris Worthy is mom to Caroline (15) and Nolan (10) and will soon celebrate 20 years of marriage to her favorite person, John. Chris practiced law before becoming a writer and stay-at-home mother more than 10 years ago. She enjoys cooking, crafting, spoiling dogs, green living and rummaging though old books. Follow along at www.chrisworthy.com